1996 Geo Metro 1.0L, 3 cylinder

Summary:

A moneysaver, but you get what you pay for

Faults:

By 140,000 miles, 2nd gear is broken. It constantly slipped out gear to the point of being unusable. For the last two years I have been shifting from 1st to 3rd gear.

Driver's side window needs maintenance about every 3 months. The rolling mechanism falls out of its track, and the inner panel of the door needs to be taken out to put it back in place.

Driver's side door lock doesn't work from the outside.

Passenger's side door lock doesn't work from the inside.

Muffler has been replaced once, and needs to be replaced again. The car runs very loudly for now.

Glove compartment latch had to be fixed.

General Comments:

Overall, this car has been a good value, considering its costs--low sticker price and high gas mileage.

What you save in price and gas expenses, you give up in other ways--comfort and power.

During the first 4 years I got about 50 mpg on the highway, and even today I still get about 38 mpg, but the lack of power from the engine is drastically noticeable.

I have even noticed that my acceleration suffers when there are 4 people in the car.

The car also feels unsafe to drive at more than 70 mph.

As for comfort, body room is cramped in all respects, although the interior is actually roomier than the outward appearance would suggest.

I have the hatchback coupe model, and cargo space is amazing with the back seat folded down.

No A/C, weak heat, and uncomfortable seats make getting into this car a chore and not a pleasure.

Wear and tear and general maintenance has been very good besides 2nd gear, but this surprisingly has not been that much of a problem so far.

In general, you will save money with this car, but you will pay in other ways--but it may be worth it!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 20th September, 2004

29th Aug 2005, 13:14

I bought a 95 Geo Metro in 1997 with 24,000 miles on it. Now it's 2005, and the car has 105,000 miles on it. It's been an excellent car. I've been careful about oil changes and routine maintenance, and the only repair I've had to have done to it besides routine maintenance was replace the water pump, but that was at 100,000 miles. I haven't had problems keeping up on the freeway, and I still get 40+ mpg on the highway. When we moved, my car was loaded up to the roof, and I was driving uphill most of the way, and I still got 50 mpg with it. This was at 101,000 miles. A car with 140,000 miles on it is going to show some age, no matter what type it is, and I fully intend to keep my Metro as long as I can, especially with gas prices of over $2.50 a gallon.

1996 Geo Metro 1.0 liter inline 3

Summary:

It's a great little car!!

Faults:

The engine ticks (or knocks) when the car is warmed up. I just had the cap and rotor replaced, also I put on new spark plug wires. I dunno what the problem is, either the timing could be off or maybe a bad piston is the cause. The 3RD cylinder is firing on time, but 1 and 2 aren't. It shudders at a very low idle. When I have it under a load it knocks really bad. Is this normal? Also is there a tip for setting the timing for this car?

General Comments:

This little car is really easy too fix and cheap on gas. Can't beat 55 mpg, compare that to my Taurus. I commute back and forth to college.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd September, 2004

2nd Sep 2004, 23:11

Have you checked the timing belt? Driving the car with a failing timing belt causes engine damage so be carefull...

31st Dec 2004, 07:34

The engine knock could be caused by a broken piston skirt,and the ticking by a stuck lifter.Drop the oil pan and examine the pistons. Check the oil pan for chunks of metal.